Pets get their turn to parade through Palatine

It was a mostly dog day afternoon Sunday, except for the one tortoise, during the 16th annual Sweet Pea Pet Parade in downtown Palatine.

More than 120 pets with their owners made the hike in this year's march around Towne Square, as a part of the Downtown Palatine Street Fest.

"This is our sixteenth year of having the pet parade. Everybody enjoys it. We have a turtle for the first time along with dogs cats," said Peg Schroth, owner of parade co-sponsor Foxglove Cottage.

Hundreds of people participated, and many others watched while animals dressed as pin cushions, Blackhawks fans, Batman, Smurfs, bumble bees, tacos and more promenaded around the park.

Prizes were awarded in various categories, with Reggie, a blue-colored dog posing as a Smurf taking Best Dressed - Homemade Costume; firedog Harry Pawter, a Yorkshire terrier, in his own fire engine winning Best Dressed - Purchased Costume; Comiskey, a Labradoodle, covered in evergreen leaves as Most Colorful Coat; Waffles winning Best Talker/Most Sociable; Gamera, the tortoise, easily the Most Laid Back/Relaxed; and Maddie Mae, a Basset hound, sporting her Longest Ears.